Washington County Aug 25, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026

At 9:00 a.m., Chairperson Jack Seward, Jr. called to order in regular session a meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors which took place at Orchard Hill. Items on the agenda included the following: Pledge of Allegiance, approval of agenda, public comment related to agenda items, discussion and approval regarding Washington County insurance renewal premiums, Quarterly Report – County Engineer, approval of Agreement No. 5-26-HSIP-SWAP-027 For Highway Safety Improvement Program – Local Federal-aid Swap Project for Assistance with County Road W38 (Ginkgo Avenue) Safety Improvements, Including Grooved in Paint Markings and Rumble Strips, approval of Agreement No. 5-26-STP-S-007 For Surface Transportation Block Grant for Assistance with a PCC Overlay on County Road W38 (Ginkgo Avenue) from IA 92 north Past 180th Street intersection, Secondary Road Use Request – Highland Student Council, discussion and action regarding entering into a 28E agreement to share in ownership and maintenance of a soil stabilizer, Department Head comment, adjourn.

Supervisors Marcus Fedler, Bob Yoder, Richard Young, and Stan Stoops were also present.

Other individuals in attendance included Giovanni Coronel with the Southeast Iowa Union, County Engineer Jacob Thorius, Chief Deputy Sheriff Chad Ellis, Public Health Fiscal Administrator Peggy Wood, Human Resources Director Amber Armbruster, IT Systems Administrator Dustin Flake, and citizen Lynette Iles. Various other individuals listened and/or watched remotely via Zoom.

Seward led the individuals assembled in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

All motions were passed unanimously unless noted otherwise.

On motion by Fedler, seconded by Stoops, the Board voted to approve the agenda as published.

There was no public comment.

Human Resources Director Amber Armbruster presented Washington County insurance renewal premium information to the Board. The ten-member County Insurance Committee recommends a 7% increase to health plan premiums and 2.5% in dental premiums to offset increasing expenses and create an acceptable reserve in the premium accounts. The current plans in place are strong and the Insurance Committee recommends keeping the same plans. The current health plan cost for the county is $2,339,580.00. An increase of 7% will equal a total expense of $2,505,240.00. The current plans allow employees to choose between three plans: The base plan - a low deductible plan at no cost for the employee as single and $614.00 per family plan with deductibles at $750.00 for single and $1,500.00 for family; a Health Savings Account (HSA) plan with single and family deductibles of $2,000.00 and $4,000.00 with a payment of $120.00 to the employee HSA account for single and cost of $50.00 for family; and a high deductible HSA plan of $3,000.00 and $6,000.00 deductibles for single and family at $200.00 and $96.00, respectively, back to the employee HSA account. The proposed 7% increase would be applied to all of these plans. There is also a $50.00 discount for all plans when participating in yearly health risk assessments. Dental would increase to $67,488.00 from $65,938.00. Currently employees receive paid dental for a single plan and have the option of adding family at the appropriate premium ranging from $33.96 to $72.30 depending on the number of insureds. Armbruster informed the Board that Open Enrollment is set for October 29, 2026, and the decision on proceeding needs determined well in advance of that date. Supervisors Young, Stoops, and Fedler voiced concerns about the rates and the amounts being passed to participants, feeling part of the increase in dental cost should be assessed to the singe employee who currently receives this free of charge. Fedler also stated that the county should look at passing more of the expense to the employees and State mandates will make it difficult to continue with these increased costs. Young commented that some of this cost can be gained by cutting outside entity funding provided by the county. Budget Director Cyndie Sinn called in to the Auditor to remind the Board that insurance premiums are paid out of the county's supplemental basic fund, not the general fund that has mandated limitations by the State of Iowa, and that the base plan is directly related to the Sheriff's Union Contract. Seward would like to see information based on all employees' wages and the cost of benefits to each individual. Auditor Tamera Stewart responded that this is not easily obtainable due to employees choosing different plans. Each department's budget shows what is allocated to insurance premiums. Seward recommended reducing the amount the county contributes to employees' HSA plans by potentially 25%. Stewart cautioned that this will possibly affect the number of employees retaining the HSA plans, which are more cost effective for the county, and switching to the out-of-pocket base plan due to cost of plans versus deductibles. After much additional discussion, Seward made a motion to return to discussions with the Insurance Committee for re-evaluation of the premiums and how they are passed on to employees. Motion was seconded by Stoops.

On motion by Seward, seconded by Yoder, the County Engineer's 2nd quarter report was acknowledged. The report included, among other things, a summary of paved road maintenance, a summary of rock road maintenance, a breakdown by month of the tons of rock hauled during the quarter, a summary of construction activities, vegetation management projects, and road construction activities. Thorius also noted that approximately $6,400.00 in vehicle repairs was spent on 44 non-department vehicles in conjunction with working with other county departments to assist in maintaining and servicing their vehicles. Chairperson Seward commended Thorius on the work of his department. The complete report is available in the Auditor's office.

County Engineer Jacob Thorius presented an Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Agreement for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). This is a standard agreement between Washington County, Iowa, and the IDOT for improvements on W38 (Wellman Road) from IA 92 north to past G20 (170th Street) intersection. This project is to include safety edges, road markings, and rumble strips. The HSIP Federal-aid funds shall be limited to $98,000.00. On motion by Fedler, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign the Iowa Department of Transportation Agreement for Highway Safety Improvement Program – Local Federal-aid Swap Project Agreement No. 5-26-HSIP-SWAP-027.

Thorius then presented Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Federal-aid Agreement for Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Project Agreement No. 5-26-STP-S-007. This is another standard agreement between Washington County, Iowa, and the IDOT for additional funds related to the work on (W38) Wellman Road including PCC Overlay from Iowa 92 north to past 170th Street intersection. The funds received are limited to the lesser of either 80% of eligible costs or the amount of $1,743,135.00. On motion by Stoops, seconded by Yoder, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign Iowa Department of Transportation Federal-aid Agreement for a Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Project Agreement No. 5-26-STP-S-007.

On motion by Fedler, seconded by Young, the Board approved and authorized the Chairperson to sign a Secondary Road Use Request Form from Highland High School student council for use of Vine Avenue, from approximately 175th Street to 170th Street, during their homecoming parade starting at 6:30 p.m. on September 2, 2026.

Thorius discussed possibly entering into a 28E Agreement to share ownership and maintenance of a soil stabilizer with other surrounding counties. The current machinery has worked well for them in the past and is occasionally rented out to other counties; however, there have been some recent issues with the stabilizer and no parts are available and they cannot receive a firm price on repair, nor do they have any new stabilizers available. Since then, Washington County and several other surrounding counties have been renting equipment. The rental company is located in Oklahoma and is no longer interested in renting the item. Altorfer Cat has one available for rent as well as one for sale that is estimated at six years old. Conversations have occurred between approximately six counties to enter into a 28E Agreement for sharing of the purchase of the used stabilizer at an estimated cost of $193,000.00 total to be split between all interested counties. A new stabilizer is estimated at $500,000.00. On motion by Seward, seconded by Fedler, the Board authorized the County Engineer to explore cost sharing ideas regarding the purchase of a soil stabilizer.

At 10:20 a.m. on motion by Stoops, seconded by Yoder, the Board voted to adjourn.

ATTEST: s/ Tamera S. Stewart, Washington County Auditor

1ST AYD CORPORATION, Supplies 276.00

911 CUSTOM, Supplies 196.00

ACE N MORE, Supplies 19.99

ADAMS MULTIMEDIA OF IOWA, Publication 72.53

ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HLTHCARE, Service 9,159.52

AGRILAND FS INC, Fuel 1,015.02

ALLIANT, Utilities 10,835.81

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, Supplies 728.08

AMBER ARMBRUSTER, Reimb 31.54

ARNOLD MOTOR SUPPLY, Parts 35.03

ATT MOBILITY, Data 89.73

BAILEY OFFICE OUTFITTERS, Supplies 583.52

BAKER PAPER, Supplies 929.20

BASEPOINT BUILDING AUTOMATIONS, Repair 4,000.00

BINNS & STEVENS, Rd stab 135,122.27

BOUND TREE, Supplies 679.95

BRETT JOHNSON, Reimb 11.97

CARA SORRELLS, Reimb 20.00

CARRIE RICH, Reimb 164.85

CARRIER ACCESS IT, Service 299.00

CASH N CARRY CHEMICALS, Herbicides 90.00

CDW GOVERNMENT, Equip 1,193.95

CHARLES ROGNESS, Well plugging 700.00

CHRISTY TINNES, Reimb 202.18

CINTAS, Service 2,449.85

CITY OF WELLMAN, Utilities 99.55

CITY OF WEST CHESTER, Utilities 52.00

CJ COOPER, Service 55.00

CLINT HUMPHREY, Well plugging 560.32

COLEMAN MOORE CO, Ero cntrl 2,390.00

CONTINUOUS TOUCH, Service 96.74

CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC, Maint 78,072.54

COURTESY DOOR SALES & SERV, Parts 27.00

CRITICAL HIRE, Service 50.00

CUSTOM HOSE & SUPPLIES INC, Parts 134.07

CUSTOM IMPRESSIONS INC, Supplies 224.25

DAVID ARIEUX, Well plugging 600.00

DEBORAH M ATTY SKELTON, Atty fees 170.00

DELTA DENTAL OF IOWA, Claims 4,259.50

DES MOINES CO SHERIFF, Service 34.54

DOUDS STONE LLC, Roadstone 12,330.65

DREYSON ROBE, Reimb 247.49

EASTERN IA LIGHT & POWER, Utilities 1,040.42

ELDON C STUTSMAN INC, Parts 239.46

ELIZABETH DUNCAN, Reimb 20.00

ELLIOTT OIL COMPANY, Fuel 49.01

ERIN PETERSEN, Well plugging 700.00

ERMAN CORP INC, Culvert 17,350.00

FAREWAY STORE, Supplies 1,217.25

FARMERS CO-OP KEOTA, Tires 1,753.87

GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES INC, Service 2,703.00

GALLS INC, Uniform 170.00

GINGERICH WELL &, Maint 317.76

GOPHER SIGN, Signs 298.00

GORDON FLESCH COMPANY, Copoies 417.53

HENRY ADKINS & SON INC, Ballots 1,564.22

HYGIENIC LABORATORY, Water tests 1,029.50

IA CO CONSERV SYSTEM, Registration 460.00

IA DEPT OF INSPECTIONS/APPEALS, Registration 160.00

IA DOT, Supplies 270.00

IA HOMELAND SECURITY &, Psap 7,554.69

IA PRISON IND, Signs 1,519.90

INTOXIMETERS, Repair 799.50

ISG INC, Service 115,514.00

JAKE PETERSEN, Reimb 182.40

JAMIE L LOVE, Reimb 38.99

JAYSE HORNING, Reimb 45.47

JEFFERSON CO SHERIFF, Service 95.00

JIMS SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, Parts 44.97

JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, Parts 351.43

JOHNSON CO MED EXAMINER, Fee 349.97

JOHNSON CO SHERIFF, Service 89.98

JORDAN WRIGHT, Reimb 167.20

KALONA SMALL ENGINE REPAIR, Supplies 117.96

KARLAS KLEANING, Cleaning 320.00

KATIE MITCHELL, Atty fees 2,994.43

LEICHTY & SON CONST, Culvert 3,287.83

LOUISA CO SHERIFF, Service 110.64

M & K TRUCK CENTERS, Parts 383.91

MCMASTER CARR SUPPL, Parts 56.90

MEGAN JORGENSEN, Reimb 44.13

MIDWEST AUTO FIRE, Service 265.00

MOSE LEVY CO, Supplies 184.66

MUSCATINE CO SHERIFF, Service 115.10

NICOLE STOUT, Reimb 20.00

NORTHEAST IOWA SUBDRAIN LLC, Service 90,676.00

OREILLY AUTO PARTS, Parts 54.00

OSCAR STEELE, Well plugging 700.00

PAUL ANDERSON, Well plugging 1,200.00

PAYGROUND INC, Fee 289.94

PENN CARE INC, Supplies 205.98

PIP PRINTING, Supplies 122.28

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SERVICES INC, Tax stmts 8,595.62

QUALITY TRAFFIC CONTROL INC, Signs 635.00

QUILL CORP, Supplies 189.02

RANDI BRASE, Reimb 32.44

RIVER PRODUCTS CO, Roadstone 58,186.91

RON RUTH, Well plugging 700.00

RONDA STAUFFER SOBASKI, Cleaning 150.00

RYAN DIAGNOSTICS INC, Test kits 452.00

SCHUMACHER ELEVATOR, Maint 276.27

SETH ADAM, Reimb 35.07

SIADSA, Detention 3,610.00

SOUTHEAST IOWA UNION, Subscription 139.00

STREICHERS, Uniform 1,167.00

T MOBILE, Cell phone 547.26

TEAM SERVICES, INC., Service 8,608.00

THE WATER SHOP INC, Supplies 96.65

THRYV, Ads 28.00

TREVIPAY, Supplies 445.60

TRIZETTO PROVIDER SOLUTIONS LLC, Fees 366.65

U I HLTHCARE, Service 855.00

UMB BANK, Bond fees 600.00

UNITI, Phone 245.80

US POST OFFICE, Box rent 112.00

VERIZON WIRELESS, Data 120.03

VISA WASH STATE BANK, Supplies 10,161.25

WASH CO AUDITOR, Reimb 400.00

WASH CO FAIR ASSN, Vouchers 1,380.00

WASH CO HOSPITAL, Supplies 1,630.57

WASH CO SECONDARY, Service 1,117.32

WASH CO SHERIFF, Service 62.00

WASH LAW OFFICE, Atty fees 120.00

WASH LUMBER & HOME CENTER, Tables 161.88

WASH YMCA, Pledge 2,000.00

WASHINGTON DISCOUNT TIRES, Tires 3,070.09

WELLMAN AUTOMOTIVE, Service 359.25

WELLMARK/WAGEWORKS, Claims 104,344.97

WEMIGA WASTE INC, Service 15,045.28

WORKPLACE LEARNING CONNECTION, Pledge 2,256.50

Published in The News, Thursday, September 3, 2026 L-381